Agri Experts Help Identify Behavioral Factors that Influence GM Tech Acceptance

To complement the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops, experts recommend the conduct of national and international training courses, effective communication among key players, the adoption of bottom-up management, identifying experienced managers, involving experts in the planning and development stages of GM crops, and sharing of personal experiences to the audience to favorably change people's attitude towards GM crops.

A study in Iran involving experts of the Jihad-e Agriculture Organization in Eastern Azerbaijan province as participants was conducted to investigate the attitude, knowledge, and behavioral parameters that influence behavioral intention towards GM crop technology. The aim was to help enhance strategies to promote acceptance of GM crops by identifying factors involved in intentional behavior towards GM crops.

The highlights of the study are:

• International symposia serve as avenues for the exchange of ideas among developers to foster innovation among participants and clarify the benefits and risks of GM crops and counter misinformation about GM technology.
• Knowledge of GM technology, particularly perceived usefulness, has a significant positive effect on attitude toward GM crops. Effective, robust communication from developers and regulators to extension workers to farmers about the benefits of GM crop technology will help gain public acceptance.
• There is a significant negative influence of attitude toward the environment on attitude towards GM crops. Farmers still have environmental concerns about GM crops and these can be addressed by the decisive, science-based responses from regulators.
• Public perception is more influenced by oratory facets than scientific evidence. Inviting experts from the scientific fields and agriculture to talk in public forums is a way to address this challenge.
• Attitude toward technology contributes to behavioral intention toward GM crops. Those willing to adopt up-to-date technology were more likely to adopt GM crops despite the concerns perceived. Sharing experiences and lessons learned among key players encourages this positive attitude.
• Moral concerns about GM crops influenced by religion and culture have a significant negative impact on behavioral intention. Researchers must then focus research on the impact of mental-social maturity on behavioral intention towards GM crops to address this.

Read the full article published by GM Crops & Food to learn more.